Kamloops locals, James and Jessie Fedorak, well-known in the community as educators and philanthropists, recently gave a significant donation to the RIH Foundation for the hospital’s new Patient Care Tower.
The $250,000 donation will be used in support of a new operating room, located within the new tower, which is scheduled to open in summer of 2022.
“We were regular contributors to the Foundation, but we stepped up our contribution amount after we attended a meeting requesting funds for a 9 station microscope,” said James Fedorak.
“We were so impressed by Dr. James demonstrating this piece of equipment, which enables earlier detection of breast cancer. It is also capable of examining data from the regional hospitals as well as RIH. To us, this emphasized how important it is to keep up with new technology.”
“The additional funds that we decided to donate allowed us, through the Foundation, to obtain the latest and greatest equipment,” he added. “The new patient care tower means that there is extra demand for new equipment. We are responding and are most pleased to do so. We encourage everyone to contribute what they can to this great endeavour,”
The timing of the gift also coincides with a landmark for James and Jessie – on October 22, 2020, they are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
James and Jessie’s donations to the Foundation over the years have resulted in total contributions of over $500,000.
“James and Jessie Fedorak have been friends of the Foundation since the 1980s. We cannot thank them enough for their incredible support, which has positively impacted many areas of the hospital,” Heidi Coleman, RIH Foundation CEO.
“Their gifts have allowed for various equipment purchases, which have made treatment faster, easier, and more effective for thousands of patients over the years.”
